Living in Southern California, I am surrounded by small coffee shops. This has been a huge plus for me, as I abandoned Starbucks long ago in support of their unions and labor strikes. It feels good to support small businesses rather than a major corporation, and the creativity of these local coffee shops is inspiring. I work at a small coffee shop, so seeing all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running the business pushes me to keep shopping small.
It also provides unique insight into what makes a coffee shop a “good” one. There are pet peeves and distastes I’ve developed over the last year as a barista, and I would love to share them with you to help you decide where you should (and shouldn’t) be spending your hard-earned money.
1. No In-House Syrups
If you walk into a coffee shop and are faced with Torani syrups, do yourself a favor and walk back out the door. Anyone can purchase Torani syrups, so you’re better off saving money by making your latte at home. Good local coffee shops will have at least two or three housemade syrups or purees. Even better, find a shop that makes its pastries in-house. If nothing is homemade, there’s no point in paying small-business prices.
2. Limited, Uncomfortable Seating Options
A good cafe wants you to stay and enjoy the experience. Limited seating, consisting only of hard chairs, does not create a welcoming environment. Besides, does walking into an empty coffee shop mean your latte will be good, given there are no customers? Comfy couches and cushioned seats encourage customers to stay a while and potentially order again on their way out. If you can’t comfortably enjoy your coffee experience, a Keurig and your living room couch may be a better option.
3. Quick Rotation of Employees
Let’s say you’ve become a regular at a local coffee shop — or you just have a fantastic memory for faces. If you’re not recognizing the baristas every time you go in, or if employees seem to come and go quickly, it may be time to reconsider the company you’re giving your money to. A high turnover at a coffee shop is a sign of poor management, and why should we give our money to people who treat others poorly? I know that when the staff looks happy to be there, my latte will be delicious because it’s made with love and care.
4. Superfluous Charges
Another pet peeve I’ve developed is unnecessary charges for add-ons. In 2026, no store should be charging extra for alternative milk. A surprisingly large portion of the customers I serve ask for dairy-free milk, as oat and almond have become popular, dietary, and environmentally friendly options. Extra syrup charges are also gratuitous. Unless you’re asking for an obscene number of pumps (think fifteen or more), it costs the company nothing to add an extra pump or two to your drink, especially when compared to the cost of the entire bottle.
It’s always better to shop at small businesses, but make sure you’re supporting the right ones. Hopefully, this list has given you some guidance for your next coffee purchase!
Featured image via Quark Studio on Pexels
This is such a helpful guide! It’s eye-opening to know which coffee shops to avoid and why—definitely makes me think twice before my next coffee run.
This is a really interesting and thought-provoking topic! It’s helpful to see discussions that go beyond just enjoying coffee and actually look at the quality, hygiene, pricing, and overall experience of different coffee shops. Being aware of these factors can definitely help people make better choices and avoid places that don’t meet good standards. At the same time, it’s also a reminder of how important it is for coffee shops to maintain consistency and customer trust. Thanks for sharing such an insightful perspective!
Interesting read! It’s important to be mindful of coffee shop quality — things like ingredient sourcing, hygiene, pricing, and overall experience can really impact what you’re getting. Always good to choose places that focus on freshness and transparency